Charles Town Dbq

Settling Charles Town The Spanish were the first Europeans to explore South Carolina. Francisco Gordillo sailed to South Carolina in 1521, but didn't attempt to settle there. After Gordillo’s exploration, there were many failed attempts at settling in South Carolina. Finally, in 1670, eight supporters of King Charles II of England, also known as the “Lords Proprietors”, successfully founded a small settlement at Albemarle Point on the Ashley River. They called this land Charles Town. However, even though their settlement was prosperous, there were many obstacles that made it difficult to settle this new land. Charles Town was difficult to settle because of the geography, terrain, dangers of animals, native americans, and disease. One difficulty

The land was beautiful, with large rivers, marshes, fine savannahs, mountains, and a remarkable diversity of soil. However, the land was strenuous to farm “‘.... Near the coast is generally sandy, but not therefore unfruitful… The country abounds everywhere with large swamps, which when cleared, opened, and sweetened by culture, yield plentiful crops of rice….’” (James Glen, “A Description of South Carolina,” 1761, Document B). It was possible to farm on these types of land, but it was much more difficult than farming on rich, fertile soil. The longer it took to produce crops, the more hungry the settlers would grow. Eventually, the settlers might starve. It was hard to farm on mountains as a result of the uneven ground. Luckily there were also wide, flat plains that could be used to farm on. However, flat land could put settlers in danger… “‘.... There are dispersed up and down the country several large Indian old fields, which are lands that have been cleared by the Indians, and now, remain just as they left them. There arise in my places… Wide extended plains, which do not produce any trees….’” (James Glen, “A Description of South Carolina”, 1761, Document B). The lack of resources (trees) in the area stripped them of wood for building and fruits and vegetables grown from trees. Also, the absence of trees and the flat plains did not provide any protection to Charles Town. Foreign countries could easily find

The geography of the land in and around Charles Town was falsely mapped. The terrain was sometimes hard to farm on, and it did not provide protection. The wildlife and Native American tribes surrounding the town were a danger to the settlers and their resources. Smallpox put a stop to most business and killed many settlers. Also, the Spanish and the French had their eyes on the area, and would not accept that the British claimed the southern coast of North America. The Spanish attempted multiple unsuccessful attacks on the new settlement. As a result of these difficulties, the settlement was moved to nearby Oyster Point, also known as modern day Charleston. Charleston was a better location with stronger fortifications and a more superior port to export and import to and from England. What happens next? Only time will